Thieving Mark Mccutcheon, 37, has been ordered to perform unpaid work instead for nicking the mail on his Ayr delivery round.
Mark McCutcheon grinned as he left court (Image: ayrshire post)
A pilfering postie who pinched cards containing cash to feed his gambling habit hugged a supporter after being spared jail.
Thieving Mark Mccutcheon, 37, has been ordered to perform unpaid work instead for nicking the mail on his Ayr delivery round.
Investigators at Royal Mail launched an undercover sting after people complained their letters were going missing from the Ayr delivery office.
On the verge of sentencing him last week, Sheriff Mhairi Mactaggart told Mccutcheon: “The fact that you worked at Royal Mail puts you in a very serious situation because it was a gross breach of trust.”
Dad Mccutcheon, of Annbank, was found with stolen greeting cards in his pocket when investigators confronted him, an earlier hearing heard.
The investigation team planted and tracked four fake packages among his delivery pile to catch him red handed.
One of the four fake mail items went mssing - giving letter sleuths the proof they needed.
Representing Mccutcheon at Ayr Sheriff Court, lawyer Mandy Stewart said he was “very ashamed”.
She said: “This has come from financial difficulties caused by a gambling addiction. It has caused him all sorts of issues.”
The solicitor explained his gambling problem led to the breakdown of his long-term relationship.
She said: “He has made it clear he will comply with unpaid work” and had sought help for his gambling issue.
A background report had been prepared on him.
Sheriff Mactaggart told Mccutcheon: “Given your lack of a record and the positive things contained in the report, I’m prepared to step back from a custodial sentence.”
She ordered him to undergo 18 months’ community supervision and address his betting addiction.
The thief, of Weston Avenue, Annbank, must carry out 120 hours of unpaid work within nine months.
He was employed by Royal Mail for six years and eight months before resigning when his crime was discovered.
Mccutcheon grinned and hugged a supporter as he left court.